Fantasia Festival 2013 Recap Part Six: DOOMSDAYS

Hey Mobtrealers, the genre-loving geek gang of mythical misfits are taking a much deserved nap, but the space cat handed me some ramblings on some crumpled up napkins. Here it is… Our pick for my favourite film for Fantasia Festival 2013.

DOOMSDAYS:
Director: Eddie Mullins
Screenplay: Eddie Mullins
Cast: Justin Rice, Leo Fitzpatrick, Brian Charles Johnson, Laura Campbell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFPLDCw9U6s

When I was a film brat in the 90s, there were a couple films that struck a chord with me.  These films were all very different but each had a unique voice and style. Films like, CLERKS, METROPOLITAN, SLACKER, PULP FICTION, BUFFALO 66, TRAINSPOTTING… the 90s were a hell of decade for indie film. Those films, and a few others, made me want to be a filmmaker. So I took some film classes… and then some shit happened, or I got lazy (I can’t remember), and my dreams were put on hold and I became a hobo cat in space.

But every so often a film comes along that reminds me of those crazy days of indie film. Doomsdays is one of those films. But it’s also so much more.

DOOMSDAYS, is written and directed by Eddie Mullins, a former film critic who also put his film plans on hold. It’s his first film… but you’d never guess that watching it because it’s so friggin’ pitch perfect.

The premise is simple. Billed as a pre-apocalyptic comedy, it’s about two guys who, figuring the world and everything would soon be ending, break into homes when people are away, and pretty much have their way with the houses (and supplies and liquor), and then they leave (usually before they get chased out… or because they got chased out) and find a new home and continue the cycle.

Did that do it justice? No? You know what? Just watch this trailer. Go ahead. Scroll up. I’ll wait.

Cool. That entire clip is a scene in the middle of the flick and it perfectly sums up what this film is about. Don’t you just want to watch that film right now? You will soon. And then you’ll probably see it again. Because it’s one of those films.

The characters are so rich and different. They both have their reasons or lack of reasons for doing what they do. They both have memorable lines and moments and quirks (Dirty loves whiskey. Bruho hates cars). You feel like you know them. Maybe you do know them. We all kind of know people like these people.

Soon additional characters get added to this ensemble, and that’s what this film is. A well written, well shot, well directed, and well-put-together ensemble piece. Whether it’s discussions about peak oil, wildly violent moments of random destructive anarchy, or brilliant displays in the art of bullshitting, you will walk away reliving this film, and you can tell everyone in attendance of the sold out world premiere felt the same way. In fact, they screened this film twice and both of the showings were sold out.

Even the way it’s shot is perfect. A lot of single takes. With stuff happening in frame or out of frame. At times it’s very much like watching a stage play, but in the very best of ways. It’s not a conventional choice, but it completely works for this film. Because it lets the characters and acting shine through. They are the heart of the movie. And it’s easy to see why just after a few moments of screen time.

Touching, bizarre, poignant, and gut-busting hilarious. I already consider this film a classic that fits perfectly on my dvd shelf along with the above mentioned films.  it really does feels like a lost gem from indie films of the 90s. Widely original, funny as hell, and just really good. Splendid.